[On June 19, 2011, I spread the bulk of Preston's cremains on Alaska's North Slope. A small portion got to where he wanted it to earlier in the day. If I could have spoken, this is what I would have said.]
Preston Drew Haun
June 17, 1981 - August 15, 2010
You were a big man
With a big heart
And you went out in a big way
Only the biggest state could hold the memory of you.
You left a void in so many of your family and friends
You will live on in their hearts.
I love you, your family loves you, your friends love you.
Good bye
The son shines from sea to shining sea.
I was just reminded of something I said ten yeas ago. "On the morning of Father's Day 2001 you were helping Preston move back from Alaska and you wrote somewhere or said in regards to cleaning his apartment "I spent Father's Day morning scubbing Preston's floor but it was OK because he bought me lunch".
I just spent 11 hours in the saddle (13 hours total) to go a measly 502 miles. That was a heckuva ride. The last 240 from Cold Foot was very challenging due to the road conditions and road work. A guy who drives the Haul Road three times a week said they are sprucing it up because some state officials are coming. Otherwise, they wouldn't be working on it.
I guess they save money on signs.
Some scenery north of Fairbanks
Really far north
This corner was name by the people driving down the hill
Nice
Not nice
Even not nicer. I was worried I was going to have to take time to remove the fender but by the time I got to Deadhorse it was gone. I think the same thing happend in 2003 with the R1100GS
Here we are
Joan wants me to have a good breakfast so, at 4 AM, I am at "The Northern Most Denny's In The World" with 47 twenty-something drunks. The uniform of the day is ho'.
I'll be returning from Deadhorse on Father's day, so I wanted to share this now.
Last year Preston was working in Iowa on Father's Day. He mailed me a card, which was not unusual. What was unusual was that he wrote more than "Love, Preston".
Card: Dad, I found this card in the bargain bin because it was slightly damaged...and I couldn't resist showing off my duct-taping skills! (Hey, I learned it all from you). Happy Father's Day.
Preston wrote: What a way to spend your first year of retirement. Thank you for being there for me through this difficult year. Thanks for all the trips to Houston and back and thanks for being so supportive. Love, Preston
I wish I could have done more.
